Crime

N.J. man repeatedly called 911... for a taxi, police say

By Crimesider Staff

October 25, 2013 / 1:26 PM EDT / CBS News

A dispute over a taxi fare apparently led a passenger to call 911 multiple times to get another cab. AP

(CBS) LINDEN, N.J. - Robert Nedeski, a 36-year-old New Jersey man, is accused of repeatedly calling 911 for a taxi after getting into a fight with a cabbie, reports CBS New York.

According to the station, Nedeski had flagged down a cab to take him home to Edison around 3 a.m. Thursday morning.

During the ride, police said Nedeski cursed at the driver after getting into a dispute about the fare. The driver eventually pulled over and let Nedeski out at a Linden gas station, refusing to take him to Edison.

Nedeski paid the fare, but told the driver he was going to hire a new taxi driver "because he didn't like him," police said, according to the station.

Nedeski then walked away and spent the next 20 minutes calling 911 numerous times, demanding dispatch send him a new taxi to take him home, police said, reports the station.

Officers responded to the scene, found Nedeski and told him to stop calling 911.

Instead of cooperating, police said Nedeski cursed at the officers and told them he would keep calling until a taxi took him home, the station reports.

When the officers tried to place Nedeski under arrest, police reportedly said he pushed one of the officers and refused to place his hands behind his back.

Nedeski was then pepper-sprayed and handcuffed, police said.

It is unclear if Nedeski was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.

"Looking at the time of the day, it was early morning, that is a possibility, but I can't say for sure whether he was under the influence," Capt. James Sarnicki told CBS New York's radio affiliate 1010 WINS. "He was just argumentative, what was causing him to be argumentative I can't say for sure."

Nedeski is charged with disorderly conduct and making a false 911 call.

"People sometimes think that they can use 911 for all sorts of requests for service and what they don't realize is that they are tying up a line which may be needed for a legitimate emergency," Sarnicki said.

Nedeski is due in court next Thursday.